MLB Player News

Kirilloff (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

The 15th overall pick in last summer's draft first sustained the injury in August during Appalachian League action. The procedure typically doesn't keep position players sidelined as long as pitchers, though Kirilloff will still need about nine months to recover. That may eat into his winter ball schedule and the early stages of his advancement through the Twins' farm system. Dynasty leaguers will need to wait until 2018 to see if he can build on his impressive rookie ball showing (.306/.341/.454, seven home runs and 33 RBI during 232 plate appearances for Elizabethton).

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Gurriel is in the midst of his transition to first base after playing left field and third base in Cuba. The Astros admit there are some challenges defensively, but they feel his bat will be sufficient for the position. Through six spring games, he's 6-for-16 with four RBI.

Calhoun went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Sunday's spring training loss to the Reds.

It's good news for Angels fans and fantasy owners that Calhoun is playing regularly and producing after undergoing offseason core-muscle surgery. He'd been a model of good health prior to the surgery, and it looks like that ailment won't linger into this season.

Manager Terry Francona says Santana will be the primary first baseman this season, but should see time as the designated hitter as well, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The move means recently acquisition Edwin Encarnacion will serve as the main DH. Francona notes the two sluggers will flip positions every few days and expects both bats to be in the lineup on a consistent basis. Santana hit as many home runs (17) as a first baseman last season as he did as the designated hitter, despite playing 30 more games as the DH. In addition, it's reported that the switch hitter has spoken with Francona about seeing playing time in the outfield as well. Regardless, it's safe to expect solid production from Santana no matter the position.

Abreu has returned to spring camp and is in the lineup for Friday night's Cactus League game, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The slugger missed the last three days testifying in a smuggling case in Miami. Abreu will get back to preparing for 2017 after slashing .293/.353/.468 last season and recording at least 100 RBI for the third straight year. Expect him to see plenty of opportunities in a weak White Sox lineup this season as he aims to continue his major league success.

Abreu (personal) is expected to return to the spring training lineup Friday after completing his testimony in a trial of two men accused of smuggling Cuban ballplayers illegally, according to manager Rick Renteria, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The first baseman should continue his preparation for the 2017 season. Perhaps he'll convince fantasy players to buy him with a strong showing: Abreu holds a 61.97 NFBC average draft position as of Thursday afternoon, which is a relative discount to other high-priced first basemen. Reminder: Abreu has matched or eclipsed 25 home runs, 100 RBI, a .290 batting average and a .347 OBP in each of his first three big league seasons.

Hague went 1-for-2 in Wednesday's spring training loss to Pittsburgh. He's hitting .444 (4-for-9) this spring.

Hague spent 2016 in Japan but had just a .685 OPS with the Hanshin Tigers. He's a long shot to make Minnesota 25-man roster, but a strong spring could put him in consideration for a call-up if injuries strike early in the season.

Abreu (personal) won't return to White Sox camp until Friday, CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes reports.

He is currently testifying in court regarding a Cuban ballplayer smuggling operation, but is a witness, not a suspect, and will be back with his team this weekend. Abreu is currently going at a discount in drafts (NFBC ADP: 62), considering he has logged three straight seasons with 25-plus home runs, 100-plus RBI and a batting average north of .290.

Cron went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the spring in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

In most cases, spring training stats do not matter; Cron, however, is an exception to the rule when you consider that he is locked in a position battle with the newly-acquired Luis Valbuena. Both players offer plus power and sub-par defense at first base, so how they perform -- both with the bat and the glove -- will determine who ends up with the lion's share of starts. Even with the less-preferred handedness, Cron will be given a fair shot to win the job after slashing a career-best .278/.325/.467 in 443 plate appearances last year.

Kirilloff will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery next Wednesday to address a lingering elbow injury, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Kirilloff, who was drafted 15th overall by the Twins last June, first hurt his elbow in late August while playing in the Appalachian League, and while it was expected that a full offseason of recovery would be all the outfielder needed before returning to the field, the injury proved to be more serious than the organization realized. The 19-year-old won't be able to resume baseball activity for five months, and is expected to endure a nine-month rehab process in total, which could prevent him from playing in winter ball, in addition to the entire minor-league season. While Kirilloff is expected to make a full recovery from the procedure and more or less maintain his skills, he's nonetheless in store for a slower climb through the Twins' minor-league system. He slashed .306/.341/.454 with seven homers and 33 RBI across 232 plate appearances with rookie-level Elizabethton upon signing with the Twins last summer.